Apparatus for the production of films.



B. BORZYKOWSKI. APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FILMS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1a, 1913.

A 4M, 7; ye/71hr Patented Mar.17, 1914,

BENNO BonzY owsKI, or BERLIN, GERMANY.

- *arrn'narus non 'rnn rnonuorron or FILMS.

To all whom it may concern." Be it known that I, BENNO BORZYKOWSKI,

I a subject of the Russian Emperor, residing at Berlin, Germany, have inventedfcertain new and useful Im rovements 1n Apparatus for the Product1on of Films; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,

clear, and "exact description of the invention, such as will enable fothersskilledin the art to which it appertainsto make andfuse the same. .I

The apparatus forming the subject of the present invention is fdesignedfor carrying out the known 'processfor the production of celluloid inthe form of films or bands, in which the solution is carried upon a continually moving endless transporter band as a thin coating, so that the solvent evaporates, and that the film or band of celluloid can be passed from the transporter band to a device for rolling it up. v v

The essential feature of my apparatus consists in the fact that the continually moving transporter band upon which the solution to make the celluloid film is poured in the form of a thin coating as well as the winding device upon which the finished film is wound -is located in a completely closed chamber or channel'kept at a suitable temperature; the vapors forming in this space through the evaporation of the solvent,-being pumped away. As'compared with the production of films upon open or half inclosed endless transporter bands, this arrangement renders it possible to recover the solvent. As is well-known volatile solvents can only. be, recovered by condensation when the vapors pumped away are as free as possible from air, a condition which is here obtained by ing to be obtained, and this is not practicable. Besides vacuum'apparatus of such a description would not be suitable for the manufacture of films, as-the work has to be carried on with solvents which boil at a low Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed August 18,1913. Serial No. 785,327.

apparatus 5.

PatentedMar. 17, 1914.

temperature, so that even with a small amount of vacuum the solvent'would begin to bOll," and films wlth numerous air bubbles.

wouldbe the result. Anarrangement in which the whole apparatus is protected from the entry'of airfrom the outside has moreover, irrespective of its economicaland hygienic advantages, the further advantage that the product thereby obtained has appreciabl'y better-properties than'that obtained in the ordinary way with apparatus which 1.8 not inclosed. Bands of film as produced hitherto often show small air bubbles or irregularities. These are the result of air currents above the band of film and -of the consequent uneven evaporation ofithe solvent.

As has been proved by practical experiment a film which has been produced upon anapparatus constructed according to the present mvention possesses absolute uniformity of surface and freedom from air bubbles.

In the drawings an apparatus made according to my invention is shown diagram matically.

1 is a closedchaimbcr within.whicl1is an endless transporter band 4 continually driven and passing around rollers 2 and 3. Above the transporter band where it leaves the roller 2 is located in a known I manner a feeding apparatus 5 with an outlet orifice 6, the size of which can be regulated, from which orifice the solution for producing the material required, celluloid for instance, is fed and spread in the form of a thin coating, on the band 4. The solution is p'assedthrough a closed tube 7 to the feeding The upper portion of the transporter band 4 is supported by meansof rollers 8 order to prevent it sagging. At the forward end of the transporter band 4 is provided a suitable supporting table or, in order to avoid friction, there may be provided a supporting band 9 moving at the same speed as the transporter band, since it is found from experience that at the forward end of the transporter band t there is a special tendency to sagging. Radiators 10 are provided for producing the necessary heat according to the thickness of the coating of solution and accordin to the properties of the solvent employed.

At the rear end of the chamber or of the channel 1 is provided an exhaust pipe 11 which enables the evaporated solvent to be drawn away by means of a fan or rotary pump 12. Between the rotary pump 12 and the exhaust pipe 11 separating vats 13 and 14: are provided which may for instance be filled with a suitable neutral fluid and may serve for the reception and precipitation of the solvent removed. At the forward end of the chamber or of the channel 1 is a-windfilm comprising an endless band for receiv-- ing the dissolved material, a plurality of rollers arranged beneath the upper portion of said band to support the same and preventsaggihg, anendless supporting band mounted at the forward portion of said first-named band for assisting ,to' preventsagging, means for receivlng the film from said first-named band, heating means for driving off the solvent from the material, a casing for incloslng all of said above-named elements, and means for removing the vaporized solvent from said casing.

2. A11 apparatus for the manufacture of film, comprising an air-tight casing, a pair of continuously-rotatin rollers supported in spaced relation in sai casing, an endless transporter band running over said rollers, a I nozzle projecting through said casing above one of said rollers for delivering the dissolved material to said transporter band, a plurality of rollers arranged beneath the upper portion of said transporter-band to support the same and prevent sagging, an endless supporting band running over the rollers in'proximityto'said nozzle and as- V.

sisting to prevent sagging of said transporter band, a wlnding devicemou-nted in said casing in front of said transporter band" for receiving the film from the same, radiators arranged on said casing below sald endless transporter band for pr'oduclng the heat necessary; for driving ofi' the solvent, and

means for removing'the vaporized solvent from said caslng.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

v BENNO BORZYKOWSKI. Witnesses: v

HENRY HAsPER, ARTHUR SoHRonnER. 

